When you think about it, cup-cakes are the perfect dessert. Each individually sized treat is just enough to give in to your sweet tooth without having to be rolled out of the bakery, Violet Beauregarde style. Specializing in masterfully crafted cupcakes, island-based Hokulani Bake Shop is home to a plethora of creative and perfectly sized treasures the likes of brownies, cookies and more.
Happily devoured since 2005, Hokulani’s award-winning baked goods have been heralded for their use of real butter, as opposed to oil or shortening. Classic cupcakes like Red Velvet and original creations like Strawberry Guava — both topped with cream cheese frosting — have proven addictive.
Contributing to the bakery’s success is its emphasis on listening to customer feedback when enhancing an evolving selection of sweets. According to co-owner Tushar Dubey, the buzz phrase of late from his loyal patrons has been “portion-control.” After all, don’t we all want to satisfy dessert cravings without going overboard?
With this in mind, Hokulani just launched its new line of portion-control brownies, known as Heavenly Portions. The treats present the same irresistible brownie recipes the bakery is known for, but cut into new sizes to meet every customer’s needs.
Resisting temptations isn’t necessary with 2-by-2-inch squares ($1.75 each), which make for divine snacks or after-meal treats. These slivers of heaven also are extremely popular with children, and their perfectly petite size ensures they’re parent-approved as well.
“People love an occasional decadent treat, but they also want to know what ingredients are inside of that treat,” says Dubey. “They want it to be real, and they want to control how much of that decadent treat they are putting inside their bodies. Portion control is here to stay.”
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- Strawberry Guava with Cream Cheese frosting ($2.50)
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- 2-inch ($1.50) and 3-inch ($2.75) Blondies and Brownies
Just as important as getting the size right, is using the best ingredients possible, says Dubey. Heavenly Portions are baked only with fresh, un-processed ingredients — no food coloring allowed. They feature real butter, eggs and cacoa powder, just to name a few. Patrons may choose from classic, French Chocolate Callebaut brownies or blondies. Heavenly Portions also are available with walnuts.
Hokulani’s friendly staff, including lead baker Danielle Jaffe, is ready to offer assistance in deciding which delectable dream to bite into. “If you’re really into that rich, deep chocolate, I would go for the (Callebaut) brownie, but if you just more so want something sweet and chocolaty, I would go for a blondie,” advises Jaffe.
Slightly larger 3 by 3 inch Heavenly Portions ($2.75 each) are made daily as well, for those ultra chocoholics out there. The full range of brownies may be purchased at all four locations: Restaurant Row, Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Pearlridge Center and Windward Mall.
Hokulani Bake Shop is planning to unveil three to five new brownie flavors soon, with Kona Coffee Big Island Mac Nut Brownies and Green Tea and White Chocolate Brownies, almost ready to be sent down from the heavens. The company also has a small factory in the works to broaden its product line and offer wholesale items. Stay tuned for these sweet upgrades.
Hokulani Bake Shop
500 Ala Moana Blvd. Ste. 4B, Honolulu
(additional locations at Windward Mall, Hyatt Regency Waikiki and Pearlridge Center)
536-2253
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Waterfront Plaza, Honolulu, HI 96813
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